Column.



PATENTED FEB. 6, 1906.

' A. H. FLOWERS.

UOLUMN.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 1, 1904.

W) TNESSES:

STATES ALONZO H. FLOWERS, OF MIAMI, FLORIDA.

COLUMN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 6, 1906.

Application filed July 1, 1904. Serial No. 215,011.

T0 at whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Anouzo H. FLownRs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Miami, in the county of Dade and State of Florida, have invented new and useful Improvements in Columns, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to columns such as are used principally adjacent to the ends of hand-rails in hallways and the like, although the columns may be adapted readily for use in other connections.

The objects of the invention are to improve, simplify, and stren then the construction of such columns and to decrease their weight as well as the expense attending the manufacture.

With these and other minor objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the precise combination and arrangement of parts and in the exact details of construction hereinafter described and claimed as a practical embodiment of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a column constructed in accordance with the invention disposed adjacent to the --end of a handrail. Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the improved column.

Like reference-numerals designate corresponding parts in the two figures of the drawmgs.

The numeral 1 indicates the base, which is adapted to rest upon the floor'or other support for the column. Resting upon the base 1 is a disk 2, upon which is disposed a plurality of flat vertical bars 3, which are separated from each other and radiate from a common center. Arranged at intervals between the bars 3 are spacing-formers, such as 4 4, to which the bars 3 are attached by means of bolts or nails 5, which extend entirely through the bars and into the spacing formers. Upon the upper ends of the vertical bars 3 is placed a disk 6, on which rests a top piece 7.

The base 1, disks 2 and 6, top piece 7, vertical bars 3, and sp acing-formers 4 preferably are constructed of wood, although it will be obvious that any other suitable material may be employed for this purpose.

The outer edges of the bars 3 may be carved or decorated in any suitable manner, as shown, in order that the column may present an ornamental appearance.

The hand-rail 8, adjacent to the end of which the improved column is located, may be attached to the column in any desired manner. The attachment preferably is effected by extending the hand-rail between two adjacent vertical bars and fastening it in any suitable manner to one of the spacingformers 4. j

The column of this invention is strong, light, durable, and. inexpensive in construction and ornamental in appearance. By reason of the fact that the bars are separated in the manner described the improved column is unaffected by changes of temperature which would cause a column wherein the various members contacted with each other to expand or contract when damp or dry, and thus spoil the appearance and lessen the du rability and strength of the column.

In its precise combination and arrangement of parts and in its exact details of construction the column of this invention presents an improvement over prior devices of a similar character. When the improved column is used upon a porch or veranda it provides an admirable support for vines, trailers, and the like. i

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- A column comprising a plurality of longi* tudinal bars having flat sides and continuous straight inner edges, the bars being also provided with edgewise openings extending transversely through the same, solid spacin blocks having on their peripheries square d bearings arranged at suitable distances apart so as to contact with the straight inner edges of the bars, said blocks being provided with openings extending into their solid body portions, said openings coinciding with the openings of the bars, bolts secured in the openings of the bars andthose of the blocks topermit of the flat sides of the bars being spaced at equal distances apart throughout their entire lengths, the bars being further provided on o posite ends with disks and supportingbloc is, and said bars when secured to the blocks having their surrounding front face edges extending outwardly, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALONZO H. FLOWERS. Witnesses:

L. E. WILLIAMSON, G. L. CHANDLER. 

